Hand manipulative ball and race puzzle device

ABSTRACT

A puzzle device consists of a two part opaque hand manipulative closed case in which is a circular race in which a small playing ball rolls freely, there being a central cavity beneath a small viewing window in the top closure of the case; a radial groove intersects the race and connects with the cavity under the window, there being an intermediate separating flange which during manipulation of the device guides the ball to the window where it is visible when the puzzle is solved.

United States Patent [1 1 Grattoni [111 3,749,405 [451, July 31,1973

HAND MANIPULATIVE BALL AND RACE PUZZLE DEVICE Glusto Grettonl, 10067Colwell Dr., 7 Sun Valley, Calif. 91352 Filed: May 15, 1972 Appl. No.:253,046

A Inventor:

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 8/1901 Lyle 273/153 R 1/1905Nichols 273/115 6/1920 Bowman 273/115 Primary Examiner-Anton O. OechsleAttorney-Miner L. Hartmann [57] ABSTRACT A puzzle device consists of atwo part opaque hand manipulative closed case in which is a circularrace in which a small playing ball rolls freely, there being a centralcavity beneath a small viewing window in the top closure of the case; aradial groove intersects the race and connects with the cavity under thewindow, there being an intermediate separating flange which duringmanipulation of the device guides the ball to the window where it isvisible when the puzzle is solved.

2 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures 5 3 L I Fi ml HAND MANIIULATIVE BALL ANDRACE PUZZLE DEVICE BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is theprincipal object of this invention to provide an interesting puzzledevice which is played by its manipulation in the hands, which is simpleand of permanent construction, is self-contained, and whose innerstructure is invisible except for a small window which makes visible themovable spherical playing ball at the time that the puzzle has beensolved. It is the object of the puzle to bring the ball to the positionof visibility at the window.

These and other objects are attained by my invention herein described,reference being made to the accompanying drawings showing one formthereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a perspective view showingthe exterior form of the device, and particularly showing the playingball visible in the sight window when the puzzle has been solved;

FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view taken on the line 2-2 of FIG.1, also showing alternative positions of the playing ball;

' FIG. 3 is a bottom plan view of the upper half of the device takenfrom the position indicated by the line 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the lower portion of the device, taken fromthe position indicated by the line 4-4 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken on the line 5-5 of FIG. 3; and

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken on the line 6-6 of FIG. 4.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to the drawings, apreferred embodiment of the puzzle device consists of a pill-box likecontainer 11 having an upper portion 12 and a lower portion 13 which fittogether by means of a peripheral recess 14 in the outer rim of thelower portion 13 into which there is engaged the peripheral flange 15 onthe bottom edge of the upper portion 12, these fitting closely togetherfor a friction fit, or being provided with concealed fastening pins,adhesives, or similar means to secure theparts together. The outersurfaces of the body 11 are smooth and preferably withoutposition-defining markings. The body is preferably made of light weightmetal, but it may be made of opaque synthetic plastic, or other suitablestructural material.

The top surface 16 is provided with a relatively small centrallydisposed observation window which consists of a transparent lens 17 heldin a suitable recess 18 by a tightly fitting bushing 19. The singleplaying ball 21 may be there observed to indicate that the puzzle hasbeen solved.

The lower portion 13 is provided with an internal cicular groove or racelarge enough to permit the free rolling of the playing ball 21, thisgroove being disposed between the center and the periphery of the saidlower portion. The groove is of depthat least twice the diameter of theplaying ball 21. A radial groove 22 extends outwardly from a centralshallow cavity 23, to and slightly beyond the race 20, the portionbeyond the race forming a rest pocket 26 large enough to contain theplaying ball 21, during the progress of solving the puzzle.

'The playing ball 21 is preferably a steel ball, as commonly used inball bearings, for one reason because of its weight and the productionof faint sounds which assist the operator in following its movement.

The upper portion 12 of the body 11 is provided on its top surface withthe observation window including the lens 17 as above described. Beneaththe lens 17 and concentric therewith there is provided a terminal rccess24 which is slightly deeper than the diameter of the playing ball 21,there being provided at the lower edge an inwardly directed peripheralflange or shelf 25 upon which the ball may repose at the end of itsjourney from its starting position in the circular race 20, and fromwhich shelf it may be observed through the lens at the termination ofthe game or solution of the puzzle. The upper portion 12 of the body 11is also provided with a downwardly directed groove 20A which coincideswith the race or groove 20 previously described in the lower portion ofthe body 11.

While the drawings are made approximately to scale for the preferredform of my device, it will be understood that variations in thearrangement of the parts and the appearance of the assembly may beemployed, within the limits defined by the claims.

The playing ball 21 is moved through the grooves and" into and out ofthe several recesses by manipulation of the device held in the hands,being guided by the slight sound or feel of the ball as it moves.

I claim:

1. A puzzle device comprising a two-part opaque body having an interiorcircular race;

a playing ball adapted to roll freely in said race;

a viewing window in the top face of said body;

a centrally disposed cavity formed in said body beneath said window;

a radially disposed coverage groove which near one end intersects saidrace and at the other end terminates in the bottom part of saidcentrally disposed cavity;

said centrally disposed cavity having an inwardly directed flange at anintermediate elevational position dividing said cavity into an upper anda lower part, whereby the playing ball may be seen through said windowwhen said ball is resting on said flange in said upper part of saidcavity.

2. A puzzle device comprising a body having an upper portion and abottom portion arranged to be superimposed, each portion being providedwith a corresponding circuitious groove which when the two portions areassembled form an interior race in which a spherical playing ball mayfreely roll, said race being in a depth at least twice the diameter ofthe playing ball;

radial groove in the bottom portion of said body, said radial grooveintersecting said race at an elevation above the bottom of said race,and extending outwardly therefrom for a distance approximately thediameter of the playing ball, and said radial groove extending inwardlyfrom said intersection on a slightly inclined path to connect with ashallow central cavity in the said bottom portion;

a centrally disposed transparent window in said upper body portion;

means for holding together said superimposed upper and lower bodyportions; and

an inwardly directed flange disposed on the lower rim of said centralcavity, upon which flange said playing ball may at times be disposed andviewed from said window.

* i i I! i

1. A puzzle device comprising a two-part opaque body having an interiorcircular race; a playing ball adapted to roll freely in said race; aviewing window in the top face of said body; a centrally disposed cavityformed in said body beneath said window; a radially disposed coveragegroove which near one end intersects said race and at the other endterminates in the bottom part of said centrally disposed cavity; saidcentrally disposed cavity having an inwardly directed flange at anintermediate elevational position dividing said cavity into an upper anda lower part, whereby the playing ball may be seen through said windowwhen said ball is resting on said flange in said upper part of saidcavity.
 2. A puzzle device comprising a body having an upper portion anda bottom portion arranged to be superimposed, each portion beingprovided with a corresponding circuitious groove which when the twoportions are assembled form an interior race in which a sphericalplaying ball may freely roll, said race being in a depth at least twicethe diameter of the playing ball; a radial groove in the bottom portionof said body, said radial groove intersecting said race at an elevationabove the bottom of said race, and extending outwardly therefrom for adistance approximately the diameter of the playing ball, and said radialgroove extending inwardly from said intersection on a slightly inclinedpath to connect with a shallow central cavity in the said bottomportion; a centrally disposed transparent window in said upper bodyportion; a shallow upper central cavity formed in said upper bodyportion, said upper cavity adjoining said shallow central cavity in saidbottom body portion when the portions are superimposed; a sphericalplaying ball adapted to freely roll at times in said central cavity, insaid radial groove, and in said race; means for holding together saidsuperimposed upper and lower body portions; and an inwardly directedflange disposed on the lower rim of said central cavity, upon whichflange said playing ball may at times be disposed and viewed from saidwindow.